Andy Stanley – Tension for More – Catalyst #Cat10
Andy Stanley kicked off Catalyst this morning with a challenging message to leaders about tension. Andy said “there is an eternal tension that all of us carry that’s associated with our appetites. We all want more…” I needed this reminder.
Andy shared how leaders are naturally wired for an appetite for success and progress, which can be used for good. The tension is not to allow that appetite to negatively control our life. Andy used a personal example of that tension by talking about his struggle to want progress, yet not wanting to take pleasure in having a large church. (I love his honesty!)
Three things you need to know about appetites:
God created them and sin distorted them – Creating things, responsibility, progress, etc…all good things…but sin gets in the way of something God created.
Appetites are never fully and finally satisfied…ever…they never go away. We wrongly think there is some achievement or responsibility that will finally fulfill an appetite. Leaders will always experience tension in this area.
Your appetites always whisper now and never later. Your pursuit of satisfying this appetite will impact every other aspect of your life.
Andy shared from the story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25). One powerful statement he made, “We would all give up our birthright for the right bowl of stew.” When we give into our appetites for more for the wrong reasons, we are tempted to sacrifice everything we truly value in our life for temporary satisfactions. Those appetites for more will never go away, so our only hope is to reframe our appetites in the context of what God has called us to do, then refrain from trading your future for a bowl of stew.
Every church leader needs to hear this talk. Check out the Catalyst resource center to put this in your leadership library.
Do you need this reminder?
